What's in a (Corvette) Name?
Sometimes it's a Racetrack!
For whatever reason, the C1 generation did not include any colors named after racetracks; that changed with the C2 generation.
Riverside Red - 1963, 1964; Riverside Gold - 1969
Riverside Red was a nod to the Riverside International Raceway, often known as RIR. It was located in Riverside County, CA and was built in 1957; it has legendary status amongst southern California racing fans. It hosted many racing formats, including IndyCar, Sports Cars, NASCAR and drag racing. The final major race, the Budweiser 400, was in 1988. See the Wikipedia entry.
Sebring Silver - 1963, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000 - Sebring Orange - 2021
Sebring International Raceway is a road course located near Sebring, FL. It is famous for hosting IMSA races, FIA WEC, Trans Am and even a Formula One race in 1959. It opened in December 1950 and currently hosts the 12 hours of Sebring which can be thought of as the American Le Mans. Wikipedia entry.
Daytona Blue - 1963, 1964, 1999; Daytona Yellow - 1969, 1970; Daytona Sunset Orange - 2005, 2015, 2016
Daytona Blue is a nod to the Daytona International Speedway located in Daytona Beach, FL which opened in 1959. There is a road course and a tri-oval which is famous for its NASCAR Cup Series races. Its most notable race is the Daytona 500, the NASCAR season opener. Wikipedia entry.
Nassau Blue - 1965, 1966, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2004 thru 2007, 2009
Nassau Blue referenced the Nassau Trophy Road Races held at Nassau in the Bahamas from 1954 to 1957. Photos from the era show at least two Corvette Grand Sports participating. Recent events, starting in 2011, are known as the Bahamas Speed Week Revival. Also worth noting: Nassau Blue was available for 10 Corvette model years, more than any other racetrack tribute Corvette colors.
Glen Green - 1965, Watkins Glen Gray 2017
Watkins Glen International - nicknamed "The Glen" - is a racetrack in upper New York state. It hosted Formula One races for twenty consecutive years from 1961-1980. It still is a functioning racetrack with IMSA, Ferrari Challenge, Trans-Am, NASCAR and NASA events. Wikipedia link.
Goodwood Green - 1967
Goodwood Circuit is a historically significant racetrack located near Chichester, England. It came to life after World War II as a former RAF airfield and last hosted a race in 1966. Current events include the Goodwood Festival of Speed (a classic hill climb event) and the Goodwood Revival, a three-day festival that celebrates cars and motorcycles that competed from 1948 to 1966. (Wikipedia link)
Mosport Green - 1966
Mosport Park / Mosport International Raceway is located in Bowmanville, Ontario and was built in the late 1950s and is currently known as the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. It has hosted Formula One races and currently hosts IMSA, NASCAR, Trans-AM and motorcycle events. (Wikipedia link).
Lynndale Blue - 1967
Lynndale Farms Raceway was a short lived 2.5 mile racetrack located in Pewaukee, WI that closed in 1967. It held a number of sports car and SCCA races. Operating a racetrack is a tough business and local opposition regarding noise levels and bad weather had taken its toll.
Elkhart [Lake] Blue - 1967, 2019 thru 2023 and Elkhart Green - 1972, 1973
Road America is a road course located near Elkhart Lake, WI. It first offered road races in September 1955 and is still active with over 400 events a year, including Indy Car, NASCAR, IMSA, Trans-Am and SCCA racing.
Marlboro Maroon - 1967, 1970
Marlboro Motor Raceway, located in Upper Marlboro, MD, was originally built in 1952 as an all-dirt oval track. In 1954, it was paved and converted to a road course. A number of SCCA races were held including the 12 Hours of Marlboro and various SCCA events. It closed after the 1969 season. Wikipedia link.
Le Mans Blue - 1968, 1969, 2004 thru 2007, 2009
Le Mans is the one race track that needs no introduction if you've seen the great racing movie Ford v. Ferrari. The 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race is one of the premier racing events in the world, rivaled only by the Indianapolis 500. It was first run in 1923. Wikipedia link. Not to be confused with the 24 Hours of LeMons.
Mulsanne Blue - 1970, 1971
Mulsanne Straight is not a racetrack but a portion of the Le Mans racetrack. The 3.7 mile straight which, since 1990, is interrupted by two chicanes for safety reasons. At one time, before the chicanes were installed, cars reached 250 mph on the straight. The current record is 226.9 mph. Wikipedia link.
Silverstone Silver - 1968
Silverstone Circuit is a British racetrack in England near the villages of Towcester, Silverstone, and Whittlebury. It has held Formula One races, including the first ever World Championship Grand Prix in 1950 and it continues those duties to this day. It is also famous for hosting motorcycle races. Wikipedia link.
Monza Red - 1969, 1970
The Monza Circuit is a 3.60 mile racetrack near the city of Monza, Italy. It was built in 1922 and has hosted Formula One races from 1950 to 1979 and 1981 to present. It is famous for its high-speed oval portion, which was controversial due to safety issues, and last used in 1969. Wikipedia link.
Monaco Orange - 1969
The Monaco Grand Prix is one of the most storied automobile races in history. First held in 1929, it became a regular part of the Formula One calendar in 1950. It is a 2.074 mile circuit and is a tight narrow course where passing is difficult. The driver with the most wins - 6 - is Ayrton Senna and the constructor with the most wins is McLaren, with 15 victories.
Bridgehampton Blue - 1970, 1971
Donnybrooke Green - 1970
Ontario Orange - 1970 thru 1972
Mille Miglia Red - 1971 thru 1974
Brands Hatch Green - 1971
War Bonnet Yellow - 1971, 1972
Bryar Blue - 1972
Long Beach Red - 2016 thru 2020
